Badminton
2026 Thomas Cup: India lose 2-3 to China in final group tie – Highlights
Catch all the highlights from the 2026 Thomas Cup tie between India and China.
Lakshya Sen at 2026 India Open (Photo credit: BAI)
The Indian men's badminton team take on heavyweight China in what is their final group stage tie at the 2026 Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, on Wednesday.
Both teams have already booked their spot in the knockout rounds with two wins in their previous two ties and entered this tie to extend their unbeaten streak.
China defeated India 3-2 on the day and topped the group, which might help them get a favourable draw heading into the quarter-finals.
India fielded a full-strength team with Lakshya Sen playing the first singles, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty competed in the first doubles match.
The others in action for India were Ayush Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan/ MR Arjun, and veteran HS Prannoy.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 29 April 2026 3:18 PM IST
A quality play on the net from the Chinese pair is troubling Satwik-Chirag
Game-1: Satwik-Chirag (IND) 10-16 Liang-Wang (CHN)
- 29 April 2026 3:15 PM IST
Chinese pair came from behind to enter first mid-game break with a narrow lead
Game-1: Satwik-Chirag (IND) 9-11 Liang-Wang (CHN)
- 29 April 2026 3:05 PM IST
India 0-1 China!
Up Next: - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty (IND) Vs Liang Wei Ken/ Wang Chen (CHN)
- 29 April 2026 2:55 PM IST
Li Shi Feng takes the first match, outclassing Lakshya after mid-game break
Final Score: Lakshya Sen: 19-21, 21-8, 12-21
- 29 April 2026 2:44 PM IST
Lakshys trails by 4 at the final mid-game interval
Game-3: Lakshya Sen (IND) 7-11 Li Shi Feng (CHN)
- 29 April 2026 2:34 PM IST
Lakshya forces a decider!
After a dominant run in the second game, Lakshya pushed this opening match of the tie into three games, with a comfortable 21-8 win in the second game.
- 29 April 2026 2:22 PM IST
Lakshya Sen on a roll!
Lakshya Sen is on a roll in the second game. Playing from the far end of the court and has opened up an 11-2 lead.
- 29 April 2026 2:10 PM IST
Lakshya Sen concedes opening game
Lakshya Sen started well after the break to equalise at 11-11. He had the lead at some point as well, but doesn't manage to hold on.
He concedes the opening game 19-21.
- 29 April 2026 1:55 PM IST
Lakshya Sen trails
Lakshya Sen is down by two points at the first mid-game interval as Li Shi Feng opens up an 11-9 lead.
- 29 April 2026 1:49 PM IST
A close start!
This has been an extremely close battle so far as the players take a breather while the court is being wiped. Some long rallies already and the players are level at 6-6.
